The full economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic to Northern Arizona University remains uncertain. Enrollment is a major source of revenue and officials are waiting for final numbers for the fall 2020 semester before saying how they'll make up for budget shortfalls.
NAU President Rita Cheng estimated in April that losses could be between $30 and $100 million and has asked all departments to explore ways to address revenue declines for the next fiscal year. A working group made up of faculty and other employees is advising the President. Individual departments campuswide are running budget scenarios, anticipating deep cuts and layoffs. A change.org petition is circulating among staff, students, community members and others asking NAU for creative short-term measures to avoid potential layoffs and harmful working conditions amid the pandemic.
